Transcendentalism (Emerson)

What is Emerson credited with expressing better than anyone before him?

the concept of self-reliance and individualism (“the advantages of a young land”)

To whom did Emersons writings appeal?

intellectuals and the general public (and young people)

For what does Emerson and his writing have a reputation?

for being hard to understand

Give a couple characteristics explaining the family Emerson was born into. (3 facts)

• a poor family

• his father dying of tuberculosis

• his mother leaving 6 (growing) children

What was Emerson expected to do with his life?

attend Harvard and become a minister like the 8 generations before him

Describe Emerson as a student in Harvard (3 facts)

• attend school at 14

• an indifferent student (lacks interest, enthusiasm, or concern for their studies)

• focusing mainly on philosophy and theology

What did Emerson do at the age of 25?

accept a post at Boston’s Second Church and married Ellen Tucker (14) who also has tuburculosis

What coincided (interrupt) with Emerson’s grief after Ellen Tucker died?

the growing disbelief in some of the central doctrines (beiefs from the church) of his religion

What did he do that shocked his congregation?

he resigned (left) from the ministry and set off on an extended tour of Europe

How was Emerson’s view “distinctively American”?

he denied the importance of what had happened in the past

What was the “idea of man”, or “Over-Soul”, and its connection with nature

individual souls were a part of a larger entity

What did Emerson demand of American scholars in his lecture of the same name?

to “free themselves from the shackles of the past”

“The Divinity School Address” is another famous speech given by Emerson. What was it he called for in this lecture?

a rejection of institutional religion in favor of a personal relationship with God

What happened to Emerson as a result of “The Divinity School Address”?

he was revoked his privilege to speak at Harvard for 3 decades

What groups of people were drawn to Emerson and why?

• young individuals- looking to respond and listen to his optimism he had to share (predictions)

• intellectuals- responded to his ideas

• society as a whole- respond to his optimism

What event sent Emerson into an “emotional shell from which he never emerged”?

the death of his son, Waldo, from scarlet fever at the age of 5

What did Emerson suffer in his later years?

a severe loss of memory

What famous poet saw Emerson as an idol, and visited him shortly before he died?

Walt Whitman

What did the Transcendentalists dislike about conventional religion and science?

they believed it relied too heavily on rigid rules; stale and dehumanizing

What did the Transcendentalists believe to be the way to God?

• individual intuition

• self-reflection

• a direct relationship with nature

What are the four major influences contributing to Transcendentalism?

• puritinism

• platonic philosophy

• romantacism

• eastern religion (asian beliefs)

Who remains the “representative Transcendentalist”?

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Who was Emerson’s “protégé”? (his student/follower)

Henry David Thoreau

What did Emerson believe about the natural world?

it is a reflection of the spiritual world and the clearest way for humans to understand God, truth, and themselves

How did Hawthorne feel about Transcendentalism?

he believed their ideas were too idealistic and ignored the reality of human sin, guilt, and moral weakness

What was the difference between Melville and the Transcendentalists? What did they see behind the external world, and the world of senses?

one saw goodness and truth behind the physical world and the other saw darkness, mystery and danger

Poe scorned transcendentalism, but what transcendental conclusion did he also come to?

nature and human experience are often dark, irrational, and mysterious, not good

How were Hawthorne and Poe different? What did each writer focus on, and what way did they use setting?

one focused on sin and moral guilt in historical New England while the other focused on fear and psychological horror, in a dark, gothic, and isolated location

What was the challenge that Noah Webster wanted for American Literature?

he challenged writes to create works on American language, culture, and values, rather than imitation European styles

The writers that exemplify America’s literary “coming of age” stressed what three things?

• individualism/ self-reliance

• connection to nature (power)

• breaking from tradition (intuition)

Emerson writes “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string”. What dies the “iron string” symbolize?

inner truth or intuition

Emerson states that society is a “joint-stock company”. What does he mean by this comparison?

society demands conformity in exchange for security

Emerson claims “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist (reject the norms)”. What is the main idea of this statement"?

individuality requires rejecting social pressure

According to Emerson, why are people afraid to express their true thoughts?

fear of being misunderstood

Emerson writes that a person’s work is “rejected and gay when he has to put his heart into work”. What does “gay” mean in this quote”?

joyful

Emerson argues that genius is:

trusting one’s own thoguhts

Emerson says “To be great is to be misunderstood”. Which group does he list as examples of misunderstood individualists?

scientists, reformers, and thinkers

What does Emerson suggest about consistency in one’s beliefs?

it can limit growth

Emerson believes that when a person obeys their inner voice, they will…?

be misunderstood

Emerson describes society as being “in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members”

suppress individuality

Emerson suggests that God:

accepts sincere self-trust

Emerson believes that people should measure themselves by:

their inner sense of right

Why does Emerson criticize people who rely too much on tradition?

tradition prevents originality

Emerson argues that when people enter society, their inner voice becomes?

fainter (quiter)

Emerson’s overall message in the boxed passages emphasizes?

self-trust over social approval

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“envy (jealousy) is ignorance; … imitation is suicide.”

being jealous over someone else makes you ignorant over your own blessings/ qualities, which is killing who you are as your own person

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“… no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil (work) bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till.”

you must always work for success based on what you are given in life or where you are placed

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents.”

showing you are not afraid of who God has made you is more important

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“… God will not have his work made manifest (revealed) by cowards.”

God wants to be known by those who accept the gifts he has given to them (qualities)

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“The virtue in most request in conformity (acting according to accepted norms). Self- reliance is its aversion”.

most want for you to be like everyone else. self-reliance is the enemy of conformity

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“Whoso would be a man (or woman) must be a nonconformist"“.

if you want to be considered a genuine person, then you cannot conform

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“Nothing is at last sacred (worthy of respect/holy) but the integrity (character) of your own mind”.

there is nothing more important than staying true to your own beliefs and morals

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“To be great is to be misunderstood”.

to be yourself, you must be misunderstood"

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“The power which resides in him is new in nature; and none but he knows what that is which he can do”.

you are unique and nobody else is like you; you never know until you try

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“The eye was placed where one ray should fall that it might testify of that particular ray.”

the universe is made to be the way it is down to the ray of light shining in your eyes

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“It may be safely trusted as proportionate (balanced) and of good issues, so it be faithfully imparted (revealed).”

you will be happy if you try your best and you will be let down if you do not

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“These are the voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world.”

we hear the above voice and other things when we are alone, yet these voices are quiet when we enter the real world/public

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds…”

being consistent for the sake of being consistent (authentic with a routine)

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“… by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.”

do not take another’s word on what is good or bad, it is important to figure it out on your own

What is the meaning of the quote?:

“Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world…”

if you can be yourself, you will draw in the right people for you